Dunnottar Castle

This impressive fortress perched high on its rock promontory was
visited by Mary, Queen of Scots on the night of 26th August 1562 during her first progress to the north
of Scotland. On her way back, she stayed there again between 5th and 7th
November. She also returned in September 1564. Some parts of the castle date back to the 12th century, but in
Mary's times, only the main L-plan keep and chapel would have been there, the
later ranges having been added in the late 16th and 17th centuries. Dunnottar's
troubled past includes its siege by William Wallace in 1296, the rescue of the
Crown jewels, and the imprisonment and torture of over 150 Covenanters in the
17th century. The castle was the home of the Keith Earl Marischals, who acquired
the property in 1382. The castle was partly dismantled in the 18th century, and
was used during the shooting of "Hamlet" starring Mel Gibson.

Inside the quadrangle lies the West Range with its seven rooms, and a chapel to
the far right. The chapel is one of the oldest features of the castle but the
West, North, and East ranges were all built at a later stage.

Below is a view of the West Range from the other side, and adjacent to it, the
North Range which contains a restored drawing-room (see below). In the courtyard
is also a large well.

This room in the North Range boasts a beautiful oak ceiling and the mantelpiece
bears an inscription commemorating the role the inhabitants of the castle played
in saving the Crown Jewels from the Rounheads in the 17th century.

In the forefront of this picture lies
Waterton's Lodging, another building added in the late 16th century for the
Earl's son and daughter-in-law. The original keep is seen in the background
while the dilapidated section in front of it is the smithy's, necessary to shoe
the Earl's numerous horses. A large range of stables is lined up to the left
(not visible here).